Tree Age Calculator - Age of Trees by Circumference

Circumference at Breast Height (CBH):

Tree Species:

1. What is Tree Age Calculator?

Definition: This calculator estimates the age of a living tree based on its circumference at breast height (CBH) and species-specific growth factor.

Purpose: Assists arborists, ecologists, and landowners in assessing tree age for conservation, research, or management purposes.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Tree Age Formula:

\( \text{Estimated Tree Age} = \text{Diameter} \times \text{Age Factor} \)

Where:

\( \text{Diameter} = \frac{\text{CBH}}{3.14} \) (inches)
\( \text{CBH} \): Circumference at Breast Height (converted to inches, measured 4.5 ft above ground)
\( \text{Age Factor} \): Species-specific growth factor (from the International Society of Arboriculture)

Steps:

Measure the tree's CBH 4.5 feet above ground and select the unit (inches, cm, m, or yd).
Select the tree species from the list.
Convert CBH to inches and calculate diameter, then multiply by the age factor to estimate age.
Display diameter with 2 decimal places and age with 0 decimal places.

3. Importance of Tree Age Estimation

Calculating tree age is crucial for:

Conservation: Helps track tree health and growth over time.
Research: Provides data for ecological studies and species comparison.
Management: Guides decisions on pruning, removal, or preservation.

4. Using the Calculator

Example 1: CBH = 126 cm, Species = White Oak (Factor: 5):

CBH: 126 cm (≈ 49.61 inches)
Diameter: \( \frac{49.61}{3.14} \approx 15.80 \) inches
Estimated Age: \( 15.80 \times 5 = 79.00 \) → 79 years
Result: Diameter = 15.80 inches, Age = 79 years

Example 2: CBH = 2 m, Species = Silver Maple (Factor: 3):

CBH: 2 m (≈ 78.74 inches)
Diameter: \( \frac{78.74}{3.14} \approx 25.08 \) inches
Estimated Age: \( 25.08 \times 3 = 75.24 \) → 75 years
Result: Diameter = 25.08 inches, Age = 75 years

Example 3: CBH = 1.5 yd, Species = American Beech (Factor: 6):

CBH: 1.5 yd (≈ 54.00 inches)
Diameter: \( \frac{54.00}{3.14} \approx 17.20 \) inches
Estimated Age: \( 17.20 \times 6 = 103.20 \) → 103 years
Result: Diameter = 17.20 inches, Age = 103 years

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Why measure at 4.5 feet?
A: This standard height (breast height) ensures consistent measurements across different trees.

Q: What affects the age factor?
A: Tree health, soil quality, climate, and species growth rate influence the age factor.

Q: Is this estimate exact?
A: No, it’s an approximation; for precision, count tree rings from a core sample.